Limerick FC -v- Finn Harps
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Limerick FC welcome Finn Harps to Jackman Park on Friday for a vital First Division clash that could kick-start either side’s season (Kick-off 7:45p.m).
Limerick picked up a vital confidence boosting 1-1 draw against Liam Buckley’s high flying Sporting Fingal at Morton Stadium last Friday. Meanwhile, Paul Hegarty’s side will need a lift before Friday’s game after a heavy 4-1 loss away in Sligo last Monday in the EA Sports Cup.
Pat Scully Remains Confident
Limerick have been very inconsistent so far this season but a win against Finn Harps is vital if Pat Scully’s side wish to keep in touch with their promotion rivals. They picked up a crucial draw in Morton Stadium last Friday. "It was a good result against Sporting Fingal," Pat Scully said this week. "I was disappointed with certain aspects of our performance. We didn't keep the ball as much as I would have liked, but the spirit of the players was fantastic. To go a goal down with ten minutes to go and to then come back and score says a lot about this group of players. But we must keep the ball and retain possession much better. “
Pat Scully remains confident that his side will improve even further as the season progresses. "Against Finn Harps this weekend I will be looking for an improvement in that area. We've got to keep possession and then create goal-scoring chances. All our centre-forwards are back fully fit now so that should make a big difference to the team. Harps have not started well, but they're a decent club, they always have good players and they're better than their current league position suggests."
Scully knows that Limerick must push on following a point earned against Sporting Fingal. "I would accept the point that last weekend's good result earned away to Sporting Fingal would be forgotten if we didn't go on to beat Finn Harps this weekend. We will be trying to beat Harps, of course, and it's important that we play as well as we can and create as much as we can. We're improving every week. We're getting there.”
The manager added "I'm really enjoying working with Limerick FC and all the players. The spirit in the dressing room is second to none and they're a great set of lads. I'm not scared of hard work, the coaches are not scared of hard work, the players are not scared of hard work and anyone involved with the club is not scared of hard work. Everyone in this club has the right attitude and with that attitude we will go places.”
Both John Tierney and Paul Cummins have both recovered from injury and the strike partnership should be reunited for Friday’s game. Jamie Wunsch (hamstring strain) remains Limerick's only injury concern ahead of Friday night's crucial league game.
Harps Depleted
Finn Harps remain in 10th place and they haven’t tasted victory since their unconvincing 1-0 win over Longford in Series 2. Last Friday seemed like a good opportunity for Paul Hegarty’s side to climb the table, but controversy surrounded Finn Harps' home game against Shelbourne as it was postponed due to an unplayable pitch at Finn Park.
Hegarty believes a result in Jackman Park could kick-start Finn Harps First Division campaign. Saying this, he realises it will be difficult to get anything after the long trip to Shannonside. “Pat Scully's teams are always well organised and difficult to break down and I expect Limerick to be no different. They are a decent side and it is always a tough place to go and get a result.”
To make matters worse, Finn Harps will have to travel to Limerick without the services of top goal scorer Conor Gethins who is suspended. Also, goalkeeper Gavin Cullen is still an injury worry, so Ciaran Gallagher will remain in goals. Johnny Havlin will also sit out the game with a gashed leg. Marc Mukendi is also a doubt, but he did play in the EA Sports League Cup defeat to Sligo on Tuesday night.
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 to Limerick.
Limerick picked up a vital confidence boosting 1-1 draw against Liam Buckley’s high flying Sporting Fingal at Morton Stadium last Friday. Meanwhile, Paul Hegarty’s side will need a lift before Friday’s game after a heavy 4-1 loss away in Sligo last Monday in the EA Sports Cup.
Pat Scully Remains Confident
Limerick have been very inconsistent so far this season but a win against Finn Harps is vital if Pat Scully’s side wish to keep in touch with their promotion rivals. They picked up a crucial draw in Morton Stadium last Friday. "It was a good result against Sporting Fingal," Pat Scully said this week. "I was disappointed with certain aspects of our performance. We didn't keep the ball as much as I would have liked, but the spirit of the players was fantastic. To go a goal down with ten minutes to go and to then come back and score says a lot about this group of players. But we must keep the ball and retain possession much better. “
Pat Scully remains confident that his side will improve even further as the season progresses. "Against Finn Harps this weekend I will be looking for an improvement in that area. We've got to keep possession and then create goal-scoring chances. All our centre-forwards are back fully fit now so that should make a big difference to the team. Harps have not started well, but they're a decent club, they always have good players and they're better than their current league position suggests."
Scully knows that Limerick must push on following a point earned against Sporting Fingal. "I would accept the point that last weekend's good result earned away to Sporting Fingal would be forgotten if we didn't go on to beat Finn Harps this weekend. We will be trying to beat Harps, of course, and it's important that we play as well as we can and create as much as we can. We're improving every week. We're getting there.”
The manager added "I'm really enjoying working with Limerick FC and all the players. The spirit in the dressing room is second to none and they're a great set of lads. I'm not scared of hard work, the coaches are not scared of hard work, the players are not scared of hard work and anyone involved with the club is not scared of hard work. Everyone in this club has the right attitude and with that attitude we will go places.”
Both John Tierney and Paul Cummins have both recovered from injury and the strike partnership should be reunited for Friday’s game. Jamie Wunsch (hamstring strain) remains Limerick's only injury concern ahead of Friday night's crucial league game.
Harps Depleted
Finn Harps remain in 10th place and they haven’t tasted victory since their unconvincing 1-0 win over Longford in Series 2. Last Friday seemed like a good opportunity for Paul Hegarty’s side to climb the table, but controversy surrounded Finn Harps' home game against Shelbourne as it was postponed due to an unplayable pitch at Finn Park.
Hegarty believes a result in Jackman Park could kick-start Finn Harps First Division campaign. Saying this, he realises it will be difficult to get anything after the long trip to Shannonside. “Pat Scully's teams are always well organised and difficult to break down and I expect Limerick to be no different. They are a decent side and it is always a tough place to go and get a result.”
To make matters worse, Finn Harps will have to travel to Limerick without the services of top goal scorer Conor Gethins who is suspended. Also, goalkeeper Gavin Cullen is still an injury worry, so Ciaran Gallagher will remain in goals. Johnny Havlin will also sit out the game with a gashed leg. Marc Mukendi is also a doubt, but he did play in the EA Sports League Cup defeat to Sligo on Tuesday night.
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 to Limerick.
About David Byrne
is a freelance sports reporter based in Limerick who has been following the League of Ireland for as long as he can remember. As an avid Limerick supporter his earliest memory of the League was … View Full Profile